...or so our fortune-teller warns us. We know it isn't anyone here 'cause you guys are brave and true. It's the rest of the world that leaves us wondering.As you'll remember, we recently dropped a five spot on sparkle271, Girl Psychic. We wanted to know if we should take the Canadian publisher's contract offer for The Atheist's Daughter or if we should publish the thing ourselves. We didn't expect much of a response. Sparkle271 isn't a take-the-money-and-run kinda woman, though. She rolled up her sleeves and went to work.The critter above isn't in the grass, of course, but only because our home is sorely lacking in vegetation. This particular reptile was passing from greenbelt to greenbelt and did a shortcut through our place. With summer surrounding us, we've recently spotted all kinds of wildlife. In the last few weeks, we've seen rabbits, coyotes, bats, a bobcat, quail, chipmunks, and a six pack of javelina.To keep this post short, we're offering an abbreviated version of sparkle's prophecies. Know, then, that the following words are ours, not hers, but we hope we've offered a faithful translation.The Tarot Reading said that self-publishing would be rewarding but tough, and profits would come slowly. Traditional publishing would give us a chunk of money, and fast, but would prove less financially worthwhile in the years to come. Plus, our traditional publisher would be a tad demanding and refuse to compromise on ... uh, anything.

Spodomancy (the art of reading ash) predicted financial success, should we self-pub, but it wouldn't come easily or quickly.The rune reading/Celtic Cross not only said we should self-publish but also suggested we make this a long-term endeavor. Sorry, Random House.The pendulum said we should go the independent route. Furthermore, it warned us that the publisher who offered us a contract isn't trustworthy. Those bastards.Bibliomancy (divination using books) reveals, "There is a long wait ahead" ... and acts as if that's enough info. Get your act together, bibliomancy.Ceromancy (the art of reading candle wax) predicted great growth and success. Of all the mystic arts, we've always liked you, ceromancy.The tea leaves warned of a long journey ahead, should we remain independent. It warned, too, that we must beware of deception and false friends.Crystal gazing (you know this one) suggests self-pub will be difficult but success will come gradually. Again, we're warned to "watch our backs" and be cautious.Bottom-line, what does our future hold? Well, if sparkle271 is correct, self-publishing is the way to go, it ain't gonna be easy, one fine day in the distant future we'll make a little coin ... and we should trust no one. Except, naturally, you and you.

Come on in! This

is the electronic home of Renée Harrell. Did you bring any wine?

Renée & Harrell

It's about time you got here.

We aren't kidding about the wine.This is where we talk about writing... ...our writing, mostly. We also discuss kiva.org, Hunting Monsters Press, the magic bakery, self-publishing, pseudonyms, life itself -- a bunch of things.